Sudhakaran MV
Context: Embelia ribes Burm. f. is a large, scandent, struggling, medicinal climbing shrub belongs to the family Myrsinaceae. The plant is highly esteemed in Unani system of medicine as a powerful anthelmintic and it has been described as “Krimighna” in Ayurveda Classical text, Charaka Samhita. The species is highly specialized for the richness of biologically active dihydroxy benzoquinone, Embelin (2,5-dihydroxy-3-undecyl-p-benzoquinone) and reported to have the potentials of the anthelmintic, antifertility, antidiabetic, antidyslipidemic, and antioxidant activity.
Objectives: The present study was performed with the objectives of elaborating the macroscopic and histomorpho diagnostic profile of the berries of Embelia ribes and to analyze the powder microscopic peculiarities to support its botanical characterization.
Materials and methods: Macroscopic, microscopic evaluations and powder microscopy were carried out using the fresh and dried fruits of Embelia ribes.
Results: The globular berries were dull red to nearly black in color, with small beak- like projection of having the remains of style at the apex, and five lobed persistent calyxes in the mature fruits. Pericarp consisted of three distinct histological regions, the thin epidermis of the epicarp appeared warty, middle broad mesocarp consisted of large tabular parenchymatous tissues, sparsely distributed groups of fibrovascular bundles and stony cells. Druses crystals of calcium oxalate and simple, elliptical shaped starch grains were also found. The endocarp consisted of layers of brachy sclereids with pyramid like contour. Stony endocarp enclosed with single seed. The seeds were speckled with yellowish brown spots (‘chitra-tandula’ in Sanskrit), and bases were depressed inward intrusions of the perisperm and ruminate endosperm.
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